Movies. The one subject that intrigues, enthralls, engages, and involves everyone- from a 5 year old kid to his 70 year old 'Dadaji'- from the 'nukkad paanwallah' to the prime minister! ... This blog is for rare, relatively unknown, classics from the Indian Hindi Film industry- and 'kabhi kabhi' revisiting popular classics too- as it is hard to stay away from fast food for long!! Enjoy :)

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein (1977)

A completely misleading poster of the movie- playing up the drunkard jilted-lover image of Rajesh Khanna, and glorying a five minute Jeetendra appearance. The movie is nothing like what this poster indicates.

Five minutes into the
movie, and you can make out it is a Gulzar film. This Rajesh Khanna and Hema
Malini film is though not directed by the maestro himself, but by Meraj, who
was an assistant to the man in most his earlier directorial ventures. But
everything- be it the dialogues or the treatment, or even the look given to the
lead actors- looks straight out of the Gulzar school of film-making. That he
has written the screenplay is just a part of this happy occurrence.

The story is set in a
village, very much like the Jeetendra- Hema Malini starrer Khushboo that came
just two years or so before this movie. But this time, instead of Jeetendra,
the moustache is donned by (the then on the wane) superstar, who gets to play a
meaty author (read Gulzar)-backed role. Ravi (Rajesh Khanna) is a city bred educated
but unemployed youngster, who doesn’t lose his sense of humor and wit despite
his many failures to secure a decent employment. A chance encounter leads him to
the job of a dakiya (postman) in a
nearby village, which he gladly accepts. In the village he soon gets around to
doing his job with much sincerity and dedication. Within no time gets
acquainted with most of the village folk- each of who have their own story to
tell. These include a senile old lady who awaits the return of her son, a young
widow who has lost her husband in the war- but has not lost the zest for
living, and a young lady named Mohini (Hema Malini) who to Ravi’s pleasant
surprise appears more than willing to strike a companionship. Soon Ravi and
Mohini start meeting everyday and Ravi falls in love with her, completely
oblivious to the fact that she has very little interest in him- the person, and
most of her attention is reserved for Ravi- the postman. This is because Mohini
expects a letter from her lover, an army-man, to reach her. Ravi’s pleasing
ways and respectful manners lead her to confide in him her relationship with
this soldier (Jeetendra in a guest appearance). This love story of hers
completely shatters Ravi’s heart, who had genuinely felt that Mohini’s
affections were a result of them drawing closer to one another with each
passing day. But consoling himself, Ravi decides to go the city and look for
this soldier who had not written to Mohini despite his many promises. When he
returns, the news arrives that Mohini’s beloved is no more and has lost his
life in the war. It then becomes his responsibility, being a postman, to break
this news to Mohini…

Not unlike Khushboo,
this story too looks like a chapter out of Malgudi Days with all its simple and
unhurried appeal. The drama in the story is somewhat based on the fact that in
those days very few village people could read and write their own letters- and the
responsibility of the same then rested upon the village postman- who thus
became an essential part of their lives. In that sense the village postman
acted like a ‘social glue’, being a common element in all the villagers’ lives.
Here the song ‘Dakiya Daak Laya’
reflects on pretty much the same sentiment. While the postman drama is the
backdrop, the innocent love-story with all its uncertainty and apprehensions,
is the motif in the movie. Ravi’s one sided love, and his expression of the
same through his sketches (that are revealed at the end), is quite endearing. The
most unique thing about the movie however, is that despite all its underlying tension;
it retains a light-hearted spirit on the surface. There are many instances of
humor, though like in all other Gulzar movies, they are quite understated. But
quite unlike most of his films, the music score here is not too memorable with
two of the songs being quite situational, and a forced nautanki dance number (picturised on Rekha) not being as fun as it
should have.

Rajesh Khanna puts in
an earnest act, and quite underplays his character for most parts. It is easy
to make out that he was a very fine actor, and thus his fall from fame appears
more baffling (though perhaps that had more to do with his off-screen issues). Hema
Malini is effective, though it looks like she walked down straight from the
sets to Khushboo to this movie. The supporting cast doesn’t have much to do
here with Farida Jalal (another Khushboo connection), Asrani, Amjad Khan, and
Master Raju being the most popular ones from the ensemble.

Parting
Note: This movie is a sweet love-story that deserves a
watch by all those who like such village themes. And when you add the fact that
it is almost a lost Gulzar film, it becomes a must watch for his fans.

About Me

MBA. Electrical and Electronics Engineer. Taking baby steps in my professional life. Fond of anything and everything to do with Hindi films. Fascinated by history and mythology. Totally in love with my country. Wish to travel to each and every corner of India before I leave for the moon. A champion of moderation. Can play about with words when in the mood. A terribly confused soul... But believe that to be a sign of an active mind. At least that's what I hope ...